Longitudinal associations between cultural engagement and mental and social wellbeing: an outcome-wide analysis

Cultural engagement (museum, theatre, live music attendance) may support older adults' wellbeing. However, whether cultural engagement is associated with multiple wellbeing domains and whether associations vary by sociodemographics and health is underexplored. Using fourteen years of data, we tested the longitudinal associations between cultural engagement and seven wellbeing outcomes. We accounted for observed and unobserved characteristics using fixed-effects regression and time-varying confounder adjustment. Arellano-Bond estimators assessed directionality, and interactions assessed moderation. We included 6,932-10,428 individuals aged 50-99 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Increases in cultural engagement were associated with higher life satisfaction, quality of life, worthwhile life, happiness, and lower depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness. After controlling for bidirectionality, cultural engagement increases predicted subsequent quality of life improvements. Interactions suggested that individuals with poorer health may experience greater wellbeing benefits. The findings highlight the importance of ensuring equitable access to cultural engagement for all older adults.